Mouse input panel windows class list

• US 7,412,664 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2003
• Issued: 08/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Huapaya, Luis
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu; Kieu D
• Application Number:
  US10/663,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20040051738A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,791 Days
• Field of Search: 715/804, 715/802, 715/790, 715/779, 715/780, 715/795, 715/796, 715/797, 715/794, 715/806, 715/767, 715/856, 715/803, 715/807, 715/801
• US Class Current: 715/802
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance

Abstract

A method for returning focus to a user interface window is disclosed. Information relating to each user interface window existing within a computer operating system is stored in a working database that is different from real-time user interface window information maintained by the computer operating system. A top user interface window is determined at a display coordinate selected by, for example, a digitizing pen. Focus is returned to a last user interface window having focus when the top user interface window is a system user interface window. An informational context is determined for the top window, and data entered into the top window is recognized based on the informational context of the top window based on information stored in the working database.

Claims

1. A method for determining context of a user interface window, comprising steps of:

storing information relating to each user interface window existing within a computer operating system in a working database, the working database being different from real-time user interface window information maintained by the computer operating system;

determining a top user interface window at a selected display coordinate based on information stored in the working database;

determining an informational context for the top window based on the information stored in the working database;

receiving an input directed to the user interface window at the selected display coordinate;

determining whether the top user interface window at the selected display coordinate is a system user interface window displaying system level properties of the computer operating system;

returning focus to a last user interface window having focus based on the determination that the top user interface window at the selected display coordinate is a system user interface window; and

recognizing the input directed to the top window based on the informational context of the top window.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of selecting the user interface window at the selected coordinate using a digitizing pen.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information stored in the working database for each user interface window existing within The computer operating system includes an HWND ClassName, an HWND Style and an ExStyle.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the information stored in the working database for each user interface window further includes at least one of whether the user interface window is a scrollbar;

whether the user interface window is a text input field, whether the user interface window is a generic input field, whether the user interface window is a filename input field, whether the user interface window is an e-mail input field, whether the user interface window is a URL input field;

whether an HWND is a button;

whether the user interface window is a radio-button;

whether the user interface window is a checkbox, and whether the user interface window is a slider.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein displaying system level properties of the computer operating system includes displaying at least one of a software button;

a system hardware button;

a tray icon;

a gesture on a digitizing writing surface; and

an in-air gesture.

6. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, perform steps comprising:

storing information relating to each user interface window existing within a computer operating system in a working database, the working database being different from real-time user interface window information maintained by the computer operating system;

determining a top user interface window at a selected display coordinate based on information stored in the working database;

determining an informational context for the top window based on the information stored in the working database;

receiving an input directed to the user interface window at the selected display coordinate;

determining whether the top user interface window at the selected display coordinate is a system user interface window displaying system level properties of the computer operating system;

returning focus to a last user interface window having focus based on the determination that the top user interface window at the selected display coordinate is a system user interface window; and

recognizing the input directed to the top window based on the informational context of the top window.

7. The computer-readable medium according to claim 6, further comprising computer-executable instructions for performing a step of selecting the user interface window at the selected coordinate using a digitizing pen.

8. The computer-readable medium according to claim 6, wherein the information stored in the working database for each user interface window existing within the computer operating system includes an HWND ClassName, an HWND Style and an Ex Style.

9. The computer-readable medium according to claim 8, wherein the information stored in the working database for each user interface window further includes at least one of whether the user interface window is a scrollbar;

whether the user interface window is a text input field, whether the user interface window is a generic input field, whether the user interface window is a filename input field, whether the user interface window is an e-mail input field, whether the user interface window is a URL input field;

whether an HWND is a button;

whether the user interface window is a radio-button;

whether the user interface window is a checkbox, and whether to user interface window is a slider.

10. The computer-readable medium according to claim 6, wherein displaying system level properties of the computer operating system includes displaying at least one of a software button;

a system hardware button;

a way icon;

a gesture on a digitizing writing surface; and

an in-air gesture.